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Selected Poems
Go and catch a falling star.
Get with child a mandrake root.
Tell me, where all the past years are.
Or who cleft the devil's foot.
Teach me to hear mermaids singing.
Or to keep off envy's stinging.
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
--from "Song (Go and Catch a Falling Star)"
From "The Flea," a sly and witty sonnet of seduction, to his celestial and holy "A Hymn to Christ," John Donne's poems capture both love and death, earthly and heavenly passion. Here are his most beautiful songs and sonnets; elegies and epithalamiums (poems in honor of a bride and groom); satires, verse letters, and poems of the Divine--a portrait of Donne's range and magnificence. These more than 65 works include "The Good-Morrow," "Airs and Angels," "A Nocturnal View on St. Lucy's Day," "The Bait," and "Upon the Annunciation and Passion."
Get with child a mandrake root.
Tell me, where all the past years are.
Or who cleft the devil's foot.
Teach me to hear mermaids singing.
Or to keep off envy's stinging.
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
--from "Song (Go and Catch a Falling Star)"
From "The Flea," a sly and witty sonnet of seduction, to his celestial and holy "A Hymn to Christ," John Donne's poems capture both love and death, earthly and heavenly passion. Here are his most beautiful songs and sonnets; elegies and epithalamiums (poems in honor of a bride and groom); satires, verse letters, and poems of the Divine--a portrait of Donne's range and magnificence. These more than 65 works include "The Good-Morrow," "Airs and Angels," "A Nocturnal View on St. Lucy's Day," "The Bait," and "Upon the Annunciation and Passion."
106 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2010
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86 people want to read
About the author
John Donne
877 books701 followersJohn Donne was an English poet, preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially as compared to that of his contemporaries.
Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 28, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was my poetry selection for July. I remembered enjoying Donne’s writing in college, and that still held true. He had a lovely way with words. However, I had evidently blocked out how irksome I found his views on women. The majority of the poems in this collection were more secular works, and many of these felt repetitive in terms of content. The writing was always beautiful. The meter was rigid but captivating in its structure. The rhymes and poetic imagery always felt deftly handled. But the content tended to be about either the inconstancy of woman, lust for women, or most often a combination of the two. I rolled my eyes often. Even some of his most famous offerings, such as one of his Songs (“Go and catch a falling star; get with child a mandrake root”) are about the fickle nature of women and their ultimate untrustworthiness. Obviously, as I am a woman, I found this irritating and tedious, especially as the theme continued in entry after entry.
That being said, his Holy Sonnets are exceptionally lovely. I’ve always had a soft spot for “Holy Sonnet 14” and for “A Hymn to God the Father,” and I’m so glad those were included in this collection. Their presence was the highlight for me. I didn’t love this collection as much as I was expecting to from memory, but I still found Donne’s writing lovely and his holy works moving. He remains wonderfully readable, especially considering that he died in 1631.
This was my poetry selection for July. I remembered enjoying Donne’s writing in college, and that still held true. He had a lovely way with words. However, I had evidently blocked out how irksome I found his views on women. The majority of the poems in this collection were more secular works, and many of these felt repetitive in terms of content. The writing was always beautiful. The meter was rigid but captivating in its structure. The rhymes and poetic imagery always felt deftly handled. But the content tended to be about either the inconstancy of woman, lust for women, or most often a combination of the two. I rolled my eyes often. Even some of his most famous offerings, such as one of his Songs (“Go and catch a falling star; get with child a mandrake root”) are about the fickle nature of women and their ultimate untrustworthiness. Obviously, as I am a woman, I found this irritating and tedious, especially as the theme continued in entry after entry.
That being said, his Holy Sonnets are exceptionally lovely. I’ve always had a soft spot for “Holy Sonnet 14” and for “A Hymn to God the Father,” and I’m so glad those were included in this collection. Their presence was the highlight for me. I didn’t love this collection as much as I was expecting to from memory, but I still found Donne’s writing lovely and his holy works moving. He remains wonderfully readable, especially considering that he died in 1631.
February 8, 2018
a lovely poet to spend a lovelt day with.
September 12, 2018
"Song"
Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me where all past years are,
Or who cleft the devil's foot,
Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy's stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
If thou be'st born to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand days and nights,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me,
All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear,
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.
If thou find'st one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet do not, I would not go,
Though at next door we might meet;
Though she were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
Jesus - it's like John Donne is the poet laureate of incel...
Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me where all past years are,
Or who cleft the devil's foot,
Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy's stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
If thou be'st born to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand days and nights,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me,
All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear,
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.
If thou find'st one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet do not, I would not go,
Though at next door we might meet;
Though she were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
Jesus - it's like John Donne is the poet laureate of incel...
April 21, 2013
I've only been exposed to John Donne before through the play W;t, so I was really excited to find this book in the coffeeshop where I work. To say that these poems, especially in the first part of the collection(Songs and Sonnets) are beautiful would be an understatement. His voice is so playful that it made me smile just to read them. I wasn't as crazy about the section of Divine Poems, but they were still beautiful.
February 14, 2008
I just love everything about John Donne. To me, he will always be the first Modernist poet. I know, I know, he's way too early for that, but he's so experimental for his time period!
February 5, 2013
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11686900
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11686900
August 4, 2016
I'd like to say I enjoyed this, but I honestly didn't.
Still trying to find some poetry that I love.
Still trying to find some poetry that I love.
December 18, 2024
lincoln’s inn mentioned
May 23, 2023
John Donne: Selected Poems [9780753816509]
Quality hardback pocket-sized book of some of the best of Donne’s poetry. Always something new to reveal. Here are some examples:
The Undertaking - Although I don’t understand what he’s writing about the musicality of the rhythm is be savoured. ***
The Sun Rising - ABBA CDCD EE. Deflating the overrated, elevating the worthy. This guy feels the world in a sensational perspective.
The Canonization - Great poem!
The Triple Fool - I have come to value JD’s work. This is imaginative and humbling.
The Anniversary - “… The sun itself, which makes times, as they pass / Is elder by a year now than it was ..” Sweet! A man in love. Quit stunning.
The Dream - So clever. Enamoured.
The Flea - Another poem of lovers’ plea.
The Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy’s Day, by John Donne - Reminded me of allusions to pagan mythology. I love how this guy thinks, how he feels.
The Apparition - Vivid descriptions. Intense.
The Broken Heart - (Again) Wow! This is my kind of poetry!
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning - Farewell at the death of a soul-mate. Surely this had been read by Emily Bronte and influenced her poetic expressions and novel ‘Wuthering Heights’
The Ecstasy - Again, like ‘Valediction’, this poem must have influenced Emily Bronte.
The Funeral - Yet again… surely Emily Bronte savoured this poem (as evident in her fictional character, Heathcliff, and in her poem ‘Honour’s Martyr’. Awesome!)
The Relic - How can this not be an influence for ‘Wuthering Heights’? Look at this poem!
“Satire III” - with stunning contrasts.
Holy Sonnet 4 [IV] - Aww, come on! This guy kills me. Sooo good!
Holy Sonnet XIV - Batter My Heart, Three-Person’d God. One of my all-time favourite poems, an anthem, a mantra.
Holy Sonnet 17 [XVII] - Gosh!! His love for his late wife, and his affection towards (& jealous of) heaven!
Good Friday 1613 Riding Westward, by John Donne - Wow! Genuine revelation of the wonderful cross and Donne’s place in Christ’s salvation story. “Burn off my rusts, and my deformity..”
Hymn to God My God, in My Sickness - More of a contextual attempt to reconcile Eastern and Western cultures and spirituality within his own thinking.
Quality hardback pocket-sized book of some of the best of Donne’s poetry. Always something new to reveal. Here are some examples:
The Undertaking - Although I don’t understand what he’s writing about the musicality of the rhythm is be savoured. ***
The Sun Rising - ABBA CDCD EE. Deflating the overrated, elevating the worthy. This guy feels the world in a sensational perspective.
The Canonization - Great poem!
The Triple Fool - I have come to value JD’s work. This is imaginative and humbling.
The Anniversary - “… The sun itself, which makes times, as they pass / Is elder by a year now than it was ..” Sweet! A man in love. Quit stunning.
The Dream - So clever. Enamoured.
The Flea - Another poem of lovers’ plea.
The Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy’s Day, by John Donne - Reminded me of allusions to pagan mythology. I love how this guy thinks, how he feels.
The Apparition - Vivid descriptions. Intense.
The Broken Heart - (Again) Wow! This is my kind of poetry!
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning - Farewell at the death of a soul-mate. Surely this had been read by Emily Bronte and influenced her poetic expressions and novel ‘Wuthering Heights’
The Ecstasy - Again, like ‘Valediction’, this poem must have influenced Emily Bronte.
The Funeral - Yet again… surely Emily Bronte savoured this poem (as evident in her fictional character, Heathcliff, and in her poem ‘Honour’s Martyr’. Awesome!)
The Relic - How can this not be an influence for ‘Wuthering Heights’? Look at this poem!
“Satire III” - with stunning contrasts.
Holy Sonnet 4 [IV] - Aww, come on! This guy kills me. Sooo good!
Holy Sonnet XIV - Batter My Heart, Three-Person’d God. One of my all-time favourite poems, an anthem, a mantra.
Holy Sonnet 17 [XVII] - Gosh!! His love for his late wife, and his affection towards (& jealous of) heaven!
Good Friday 1613 Riding Westward, by John Donne - Wow! Genuine revelation of the wonderful cross and Donne’s place in Christ’s salvation story. “Burn off my rusts, and my deformity..”
Hymn to God My God, in My Sickness - More of a contextual attempt to reconcile Eastern and Western cultures and spirituality within his own thinking.
August 17, 2023
What an amazing little book of poetry by the great 17th century metaphysical poet! So many poems stood out to me that I read numerous times. My favorite from this volume is "The Good Morrow." It is posted below and is worth reading many times. It was an honor to write a freelance article on John Donne recently. I highly recommend this book!
"I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.
And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die."- John Donne
"I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.
And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die."- John Donne
December 27, 2022
John Donne is a wonderful poet and intellect-- born in England in 1572 (d. 1631) he was a Catholic, persecuted for it, and had a varied career before secretly marrying his love (the marriage caused him to be banished from Court and briefly imprisoned) and fathering many children, several of whom died. He was forced to join the Church of England and became the first Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Many of his poems are famous, especially Sonnet X, "Death be not proud, though some have called thee--" He wrote both sensual love poems and theological poems. He is also known for his prose writings, especially: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
January 28, 2024
I really enjoy classic writing at times and thought this was a well put together collection of poems by such an all time great 17th century poet. There was a whole bunch of poems that stood out to me, Song, Holy Sonnet 14 and A Hymn to God the Father.
I think for his time, it was some extremely experimental writing and some ideas on women were absolutely ludicrous. Some writing I found irritating and tedious, especially about the themes on women continued in entry after entry. The rhymes and poetic imagery always felt deftly handled. But the content tended to be about either the inconstancy of woman, lust for women, or most often a combination of the two. A lot of content felt repetitive - and I know there are other poets who do the same, however I seem to enjoy other works of poetry a lot more than this collection.
Overall, a really great quick classic read, and such a lovely bunch of words streamlined together into poetry.
I think for his time, it was some extremely experimental writing and some ideas on women were absolutely ludicrous. Some writing I found irritating and tedious, especially about the themes on women continued in entry after entry. The rhymes and poetic imagery always felt deftly handled. But the content tended to be about either the inconstancy of woman, lust for women, or most often a combination of the two. A lot of content felt repetitive - and I know there are other poets who do the same, however I seem to enjoy other works of poetry a lot more than this collection.
Overall, a really great quick classic read, and such a lovely bunch of words streamlined together into poetry.
March 3, 2019
This selection won me over and I'm going to attempt reading his complete works.
In all art, but especially in the rigid constraints of formal poetry, there is a creative tension between the unconscious materials and the conscious form. The artist must Shape their emotion and meaning according to their chosen genre. Donne writes in highly rigid form, but is able to be imaginative, vivid, witty, emotional and above all, true.
Like all poetry, it's best read out loud.
In all art, but especially in the rigid constraints of formal poetry, there is a creative tension between the unconscious materials and the conscious form. The artist must Shape their emotion and meaning according to their chosen genre. Donne writes in highly rigid form, but is able to be imaginative, vivid, witty, emotional and above all, true.
Like all poetry, it's best read out loud.
April 28, 2019
Note: this is not the book of Donne poetry I read, but it seems to be the closest in terms of length and content I can find on GR, so I am marking it as a stand-in. I actually read the New Century Classics edition edited by M. A. Shaaber.
June 12, 2022
Did not like. Not relatable.
August 31, 2022
It was lovely to read a traditional book of narrative poetry
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews